BILL REQ. #:  H-1325.1 

Read first time 02/02/09.   Referred to Committee on Higher Education.

     AN ACT Relating to creating a task force to review the process of Western Washington University's decision to terminate its one hundred five year old football program and to make recommendations about how to potentially reinstate the program prior to the 2009 season; creating new sections; providing an expiration date; and declaring an emergency.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 1   (1) The legislature finds that the one hundred five year old Western Washington University football program has been an important part of the tradition and identity of Western Washington University.
     (2) The legislature declares there are significant concerns being voiced by Western Washington University alumni and other affected stakeholders that the university administration's process to suddenly terminate the Western Washington University football program lacked reasonable notice, transparency, and a public process.
     (3) The legislature finds that athletic programs at colleges and universities help to foster diversity and inclusion and help to create and support an inclusive culture of equitable participation for student-athletes and career opportunities for coaches and administrators from diverse backgrounds. As such, the legislature is concerned that the termination of the Western Washington University football program could adversely impact student and employment diversity at Western Washington University.
     (4) In addition, the legislature is concerned that the termination of the Western Washington University football program may cause secondary negative consequences to other rival football programs in its football league as there will be a smaller critical mass of schools that will be able to compete against each other.
     (5) Furthermore, the elimination of the football program will result in a reduction of opportunities in athletics for women, as the school will have to either eliminate women's teams or reduce roster sizes to become compliant with Title IX of the education amendments of 1972 to the 1964 civil rights act (20 U.S.C. Sec. 1681 et seq.).
     (6) The legislature is also concerned about the economic impact to the region surrounding Western Washington University. The city of Bellingham completed a ten million dollar remodel to Civic stadium, with the Western Washington University football team intended as its primary tenant. Also of concern is the lease agreement with the city, totaling eight hundred thousand dollars over twenty years, which is now in jeopardy. Further, local merchants, the city, and the surrounding region stand to lose significant tourism dollars in the form of lost hotel, restaurant, and other revenue associated with the program.
     (7) The legislature is concerned about the economic impact to member institutions of the greater northwest athletic conference, specifically Central Washington University, which will be negatively impacted by the loss of the rivalry, lost income from the "battle in Seattle," and additional costs incurred from scheduling new opponents who may require additional travel or guarantees.
     (8) The legislature is concerned about recent reports of donors canceling contributions and endowment pledges for education programs at Western Washington University due to the negative publicity following the announced cancellation of the program.
     (9) The legislature has also recently learned that some of the funding and related issues that led to the Western Washington University administration's sudden decision to terminate the football program may now have been resolved by fund-raising efforts of Western Washington University alumni and other affected stakeholders. Given the strong and immediate financial support being pledged to reinstate the Western Washington University football program, the legislature finds that more discussion and deliberation is needed regarding the future of the program.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 2   (1) A legislative task force to review reinstatement of the Western Washington University football program is established, with members as provided in subsection (2) of this section.
     (2)(a) The president of the senate shall appoint two members: One member from the forty-second legislative district, and one member from either the thirty-ninth legislative district, the tenth legislative district, or the fortieth legislative district.
     (b) The speaker of the house of representatives shall appoint four members: Two members from the forty-second legislative district, and then two members from either the thirty-ninth legislative district, the tenth legislative district, or the fortieth legislative district.
     (c) Also, a representative from each of the following organizations must be appointed to the task force: Western Washington University alumni association, Bellingham-Whatcom chamber of commerce, Bellingham/Whatcom county convention and visitors bureau, Western Washington University administration, "save WWU football," the Seattle/Puget Sound national association for the advancement of colored people, and the Western Washington University football team.
     (d) The task force shall choose its chair from among its membership at its first meeting.
     (3)(a) The task force must review whether current fund-raising efforts by Western Washington University alumni and affected stakeholders are sufficient to reinstate and sustain the Western Washington University football program.
     (b) The task force must also review the impact of both terminating and reinstating the Western Washington University football program on diversity and inclusion at Western Washington University.
     (4) Staff support for the task force must be provided by the senate committee services and the house of representatives office of program research.
     (5)(a) Legislative members of the task force must be reimbursed for travel expenses in accordance with RCW 44.04.120.
     (b) The expenses of the task force must be paid jointly by the senate and the house of representatives. Task force expenditures are subject to approval by the senate facilities and operations committee and the house of representatives executive rules committee, or their successor committees.
     (6) The task force shall immediately commence work on this issue and hold meetings until June 30, 2009, and report its findings and recommendations to the appropriate committees of the legislature by July 1, 2009.
     (7) This section expires December 31, 2009.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 3   This act is necessary for the immediate preservation of the public peace, health, or safety, or support of the state government and its existing public institutions, and takes effect immediately.